U.S. patent application number 10/988153 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-18 for scuba unit donning assistance platform.
Invention is credited to Phil JR. Ventura, James Wilk, Robert Wilk.
Application Number | 20060102814 10/988153 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36385269 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060102814 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wilk; James ; et
al. |
May 18, 2006 |
Scuba unit donning assistance platform
Abstract
A device for facilitating unassisted donning of SCUBA equipment
includes at least one support, a platform connected to the at least
one support for supporting at least one SCUBA tank, and a securing
element in contact with the device for holding the at least one
SCUBA tank in place atop the platform. The platform is
height-adjustable for holding the at least one SCUBA tank at about
the torso level of a diver so that the diver is able to stand
upright when donning the at least one SCUBA tank.
Inventors: |
Wilk; James; (Haskell,
NJ) ; Wilk; Robert; (Washington, NJ) ;
Ventura; Phil JR.; (Little Ferry, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER, DAVID, LITTENBERG,;KRUMHOLZ & MENTLIK
600 SOUTH AVENUE WEST
WESTFIELD
NJ
07090
US
|
Family ID: |
36385269 |
Appl. No.: |
10/988153 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/132 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F17C 2221/011 20130101;
F17C 2205/013 20130101; F17C 2223/035 20130101; F17C 13/084
20130101; F17C 2270/0781 20130101; F17C 2223/0123 20130101; F17C
2221/031 20130101; F17C 2205/0107 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/132 |
International
Class: |
A47J 47/16 20060101
A47J047/16 |
Claims
1. A device for facilitating unassisted donning of SCUBA equipment
comprising: at least one support; a platform connected to said at
least one support for supporting at least one SCUBA tank; a
securing element in contact with said structure for holding said at
least one SCUBA tank in place atop said platform, wherein said
platform is height-adjustable for holding said at least one SCUBA
tank at about the torso level of a diver so that the diver is able
to stand upright when donning said at least one SCUBA tank.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one
support comprises at least one vertical support having a lower end
and an upper end, said platform being height-adjustable between the
lower and upper ends of said at least one vertical support.
3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lower end of said
at least one vertical support includes a support base.
4. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said securing element
includes an elastic member attachable to said at least one vertical
support and engageable with said at least one SCUBA tank for
limiting movement of said at least one SCUBA tank relative to said
platform.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said platform includes
a recess or an opening adapted to receive a lower end of said at
least one SCUBA tank.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising hooks or
loops attached to said at least one support for holding SCUBA
equipment.
7. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising hooks or
loops attached to said platform for holding SCUBA equipment.
8. The device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a stop
connected with the upper end of said at least one support for
limiting movement of an upper end of said at least one SCUBA
tank.
9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said at least one
SCUBA tank comprises a plurality of SCUBA tanks positioned atop
said platform and wherein said stop is extendible between two or
more of said SCUBA tanks.
10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one
vertical support comprises a plurality of vertical supports adapted
to hold said platform in a substantially horizontal orientation
above a surface, wherein said platform is movable relative to said
vertical supports for adjusting the height of said platform over
the surface.
11. A method of donning SCUBA equipment without assistance
comprising: providing a platform; positioning at least one SCUBA
tank atop said platform; adjusting the height of said platform so
that said at least one SCUBA tank is positioned at about the torso
level of a diver.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: donning
said at least one SCUBA tank while the diver is standing in an
upright position.
13. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: before
the adjusting step, securing said at least one SCUBA tank in place
for preventing movement of said at least one SCUBA tank relative to
said platform.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the securing step
includes providing a securing element in contact with said at least
one SCUBA tank.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said at least one
securing element includes an elastic material.
16. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:
providing at least one support having a lower end and an upper end;
and coupling said platform with said at least one support, wherein
said platform is movable between the lower end and the upper end of
said support for adjusting the height of said platform.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a stop
connected with the upper end of said at least one support for
limiting movement of an upper end of said at least one SCUBA
tank.
18. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a
securing element in contact with the upper end of said at least one
support for engaging said at least one SCUBA tank.
19. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:
providing a recess or opening in said platform that is adapted to
receive a lower end of said at least on SCUBA tank.
20. A method of donning SCUBA equipment without assistance
comprising: providing a platform; positioning SCUBA tanks atop said
platform; adjusting the height of said platform so that a first one
of said SCUBA tanks is provided at about the torso level of a first
diver so that said first diver is able to don said first one of
said SCUBA tanks while standing upright; after said first diver
dons said first one of said SCUBA tanks, re-adjusting the height of
said platform so that a second one of said SCUBA tanks is provided
at about the torso level of a second diver so that said second
diver is able to don said second one of said SCUBA tanks while
standing upright.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present application is generally directed to SCUBA
equipment and is more particularly directed to securing and donning
SCUBA equipment.
[0002] There have been a number of advances directed to securing,
transporting and donning SCUBA equipment. For example, U.S. Pat.
No. 4,168,007 to Rohatensky discloses a scuba rack for holding four
scuba tanks with backpacks and regulators attached securely in
place. The scuba rack is designed for securing scuba or diving
tanks, with accessories attached, in an automobile, on the deck of
a boat, raft or the like. A flat bottom support has four shallow
cylindrical recesses in its upper surface for accommodating the
bottoms of four scuba or diving tanks. The cylindrical recesses are
symmetrically arranged about a rigid vertical upright post
extending centrally from the bottom support. Four flexible straps
are attached to the upper portion of the vertical upright and can
be stretched to loop over the valve units of the respective diving
tanks to force them inwardly against the vertical upright and
downward securely against the bottoms of the cylindrical
recesses.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,935 to Hadachek discloses a scuba
cylinder retention rack designed to be portable and keep the
cylinders in an upright position during storage or transport. The
rack is designed for use in the bed of a pickup having a permanent
mounting edge, but can be used anywhere a similar edge or fixture
is found or installed. The vertical tube from the headpiece fits
inside the vertical tube of the base and meets the spring that is
housed in the base tube. When the headpiece is forced downward, the
spring is compressed and the unit can be placed under the edge of
the pickup bed or similar fixture. As the downward pressure on the
headpiece is released, the unit expands and the edge holder on the
rear of the headpiece contacts the mounting fixture. The expansion
force of the spring keeps the unit securely in place. The cylinders
can then be positioned in the unit and secured with a rubber
strap.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,721 to Cummings discloses an apparatus
that is positionable in a boat for holding at least one scuba tank.
The apparatus includes a receptacle, a cover covering the
receptacle interior and having holes for receiving scuba tanks, and
lock plates adjustably mounted on side walls of the receptacle for
engagement with the boat.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,885 to Porada discloses a plurality of
interlocking rigid base sections that are insertible laterally
across the floor of a dinghy and over both inflatable side tubes of
the dinghy. Each base section includes a support for holding a
scuba tank in an upright position. Each such support is secured to
a rail, running front-to-back along the axis of the dinghy, to
which the base sections are secured. The interlocking inserts
provide for the secure transporting of scuba tanks in a manner that
occupies little space and provides for increased stability for the
dinghy.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,890 to Stokes discloses a support rack
for use on a watercraft to hold several scuba gear and other
equipment such as dive tanks, lights, radar, spear guns and a dive
flag. The rack has oppositely disposed base members and a bridge
structure including opposite vertical portions each attached to and
extending upwardly from one of the base members. The rack also has
a horizontally extending portion integral with upper end zones of
the vertical portions. The opposite base members removably mount to
the watercraft to support the bridge structure above the stern or
gunwale. Mounting structures are provided on the base members and
bridge structure for holding the gear on the rack.
[0007] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2002/0005390 to
DeRocher discloses a free-standing rack for hanging and supporting
scuba diving or other wet equipment when not in use and
particularly during cleaning, drying and storage thereof. The rack
includes at least three support legs extending from a top point and
a plurality of dive equipment holders attached to at least one of
the supporting legs at points along its length. The rack provides a
free-standing, stable structure that can be collapsed for storage
when not in use and quickly and easily expanded for use in a
variety of locations. The rack is storable and portable in its
collapsed state. The rack is also portable in its expanded state,
even with equipment supported thereon.
[0008] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2004/0145282
discloses an assembly for securing SCUBA gear on a boat without
increased use of deck space. A platform is disposed above the deck
of a boat and a retainer is disposed above the platform. An
opening, disposed within the retainer, is dimensioned to receive a
SCUBA tank therein. The platform may form the upper surface of a
cabinet, the cabinet having at least one SCUBA tank supporting
member therein. The SCUBA tank supporting member also has a
radiused surface for securely retaining the SCUBA tank within the
cabinet. The support member has a first end and a second end, the
first end being higher than the second end.
[0009] In spite of the above advances, there remains a need for
devices for storing, transporting and donning SCUBA equipment, and
especially for facilitating unassisted donning of SCUBA equipment.
There particularly remains a need for devices that enable divers to
don SCUBA tanks without requiring the assistance of a second
person. In addition, there remains a need for a device that enables
a diver to don a SCUBA tank, without assistance, while in an
upright position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, a
device for facilitating unassisted donning of SCUBA equipment
includes at least one support, a platform connected to the at least
one support for supporting at least one SCUBA tank, and a securing
element in contact with the structure for holding the at least one
SCUBA tank in place atop the platform. The platform is preferably
height-adjustable for holding the at least one SCUBA tank at about
the torso level of a diver so that the diver is able to stand
upright when donning the at least one SCUBA tank.
[0011] The at least one support may include at least one vertical
support having a lower end and an upper end, whereby the platform
is height-adjustable between the lower and upper ends of the at
least one vertical support. The lower end of the at least one
vertical support preferably includes a support base, such as a
horizontally extending support base for holding the device over a
surface, such as the ground, a floor or the deck of a boat. The at
least one vertical support may include a plurality of vertical
supports adapted to hold the platform in a substantially horizontal
orientation above a surface, whereby the platform is movable
relative to the vertical supports for adjusting the height of the
platform over a surface, such as the ground or the deck of a
boat.
[0012] In certain preferred embodiments, the securing element
includes an elastic member attachable to the at least one vertical
support and engageable with the at least one SCUBA tank for
limiting movement of the at least one SCUBA tank relative to the
platform. The elastic member may include an elastic cord attachable
to the at least one support and engageable with the SCUBA tank for
holding the SCUBA tank securely atop the platform. The platform may
include a recess or an opening adapted to receive a lower end of a
SCUBA tank.
[0013] In certain preferred embodiments, the device may include
hooks or loops attached to the at least one support for holding
SCUBA equipment, such as gloves, flippers and masks. In other
preferred embodiments, the device may include hooks or loops
attached to the platform for holding SCUBA equipment.
[0014] The upper end of the at least one support may include a stop
connected therewith for limiting movement of an upper end of one or
more SCUBA tanks. The stop may include a header that separates one
or more of the SCUBA tanks from contacting one another. In certain
preferred embodiments, a plurality of SCUBA tanks are positioned
atop the platform and wherein the stop extends between two or more
of the SCUBA tanks.
[0015] In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, a
method of donning SCUBA equipment without assistance includes
providing a platform, positioning at least one SCUBA tank atop the
platform, and adjusting the height of the platform so that the at
least one SCUBA tank is positioned at about the torso level of a
diver. The method preferably includes donning the at least one
SCUBA tank while the diver is standing in an upright position.
Before the adjusting step, the at least one SCUBA tank may be
secured in place for preventing movement of the at least one SCUBA
tank relative to the platform.
[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
method of donning SCUBA equipment without assistance includes
providing a platform, positioning SCUBA tanks atop the platform,
adjusting the height of the platform so that a first one of the
SCUBA tanks is provided at about the torso level of a first diver
so that the first diver is able to don the first one of the SCUBA
tanks while standing upright, and after the first diver dons the
first one of the SCUBA tanks, re-adjusting the height of the
platform so that a second one of the SCUBA tanks is provided at
about the torso level of a second diver so that the second diver is
able to don the second one of the SCUBA tanks while standing
upright.
[0017] These and other preferred embodiments of the present
invention will be described in more detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a side elevational view of a device used for
the unassisted donning of SCUBA gear, in accordance with certain
preferred embodiments of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a side elevational view of a platform for the
device shown in FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a side elevational view of a top section of the
device shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a front elevational view of the device shown in
FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows a front elevational view of the platform shown
in FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 6 shows a front elevational view of a bottom section of
the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.
[0024] FIG. 7 shows the device of FIG. 1 including a securing
element connected with the device.
[0025] FIG. 8 shows the securing element of FIG. 7.
[0026] FIG. 9 shows a top plan view of the securing element of FIG.
8 being secured to the device shown in FIG. 7.
[0027] FIG. 10A shows the device of FIG. 1 with the platform at a
first height above the ground.
[0028] FIG. 10B shows the device of FIG. 10A with the platform at a
second height above the ground that is higher than the height shown
in FIG. 10A.
[0029] FIG. 11 shows a top plan view of a platform for a device for
securing SCUBA gear, in accordance with certain preferred
embodiments of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a device for securing
SCUBA gear, in accordance with still further preferred embodiments
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, in accordance with certain preferred
embodiments of the present invention, a device 20 for securing
SCUBA gear (not shown) includes a first vertical support 22 having
an upper end 24 and a lower end 26. The device 20 also includes a
second vertical support 28 having an upper end 30 and a lower end
32 remote therefrom. The device 20 includes a header 34 extending
between the upper ends 24, 30 of the respective first and second
vertical supports 22, 28. The header 34 includes one or more eye
hooks 36 attached thereto. As will be described in more detail
below, the eye hooks may be used for securing SCUBA gear such as
gloves, fins and masks. The eye hooks 36 may also be used for
connecting one or more securing elements to the device 20. The
securing elements (not shown) may be used for securing one or more
SCUBA tanks to the device.
[0032] The device 20 also preferably includes a height adjustable
platform 38 having a top surface 40 that is adapted to support
lower ends of SCUBA tanks. The height adjustable platform 38 is
preferably movable between the lower and upper ends of the
respective vertical supports 22, 28 for adjusting the height of the
platform above the ground or the deck of a boat.
[0033] The device also preferably includes a first spring loaded
clip 42 and a second spring loaded clip 44 that are normally in an
extended position for holding the platform 38 at a selected height
above the lower ends 26, 32 of the respective first and second
vertical supports 22, 28. In operation, the spring loaded clips may
be retracted so as to adjust the height of the platform 38.
Although the present invention is not limited by any particular
theory of operation, it is believed that providing a height
adjustable platform will enable divers to don SCUBA tanks and
equipment without assistance. This is due in part to the fact that
the platform may be adjusted so that the one or more SCUBA tanks
are at about the level of a diver's torso. As a result, the diver
may stand in an upright position when donning the SCUBA tank. As
noted above, prior art SCUBA tank storage devices require the diver
to bend down or squat to pick up and don a SCUBA tank. This
generally requires the assistance of a second person to lift the
SCUBA tank onto the diver's back.
[0034] The device 20 also preferably includes a base 46 attached to
the lower ends 26, 32 of the respective vertical supports 22, 28.
The base 46 preferably includes a first footer 48 having an inner
end 50 that is pivotally secured to the lower end 26 of vertical
support 22. The base 46 also preferably includes a second footer 52
having an inner end 54 pivotally attached to the lower end 26 of
vertical support 22. The base 46 includes a spring loaded clip 56
that may be retracted for positioning the footers 48, 52 in the
orientation shown in FIG. 1 or in the upright orientation shown in
FIG. 6. After the footers 48, 52 are placed in either the upright
or down position, the spring loaded clip 56 is released for locking
the footers in place.
[0035] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a securing element 58 having a first end
60 with a hook 62 and a second end 64 with a second hook 66. The
securing element 58 preferably includes an elastic material that
can be stretched and then returned to its original length. The
securing element 58 may be connected with device 20 by hooking
first hook 62 onto eye hook 36. A SCUBA tank may then be positioned
on top surface 40 of platform 38. The securing element 58 may be
passed or looped around the outer perimeter of the SCUBA tank and
secured to device 20 by placing second hook 66 through a second eye
hook (not shown).
[0036] Referring to FIG. 9, first hook 62 of securing element 58
passes through a first eye hook 36A and a second hook 66 is passed
through a second eye hook 36B. The securing element may then be
passed around the outer perimeter of the SCUBA tank for securing
the SCUBA tank to the device.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 10A-10B, in certain preferred embodiments
of the present invention, the platform 38 is height adjustable so
that one or more SCUBA tanks may be placed at preferred heights
above the ground 68. Referring to FIG. 10A, a first SCUBA tank 70A
and a second SCUBA tank 70B are positioned over top surface 40 of
platform 38. The footers 48, 52 are locked in the down position for
stably supporting device 20 over the ground 68. The spring loaded
clips 42, 44 are retractable for adjusting the height of the
platform 38 above the ground 68. In FIG. 10A, the top surface 40 of
platform 38 is at a height H.sub.1 above the ground 68. At this
height, the first tank 70A is preferably at a height that is about
at the level of a first diver's torso. As a result, a first diver
may easily don the first SCUBA tank 70A by standing upright,
positioning his or her back adjacent the first SCUBA tank 70A and
donning the first SCUBA tank 70A. Because the first diver can stand
in an upright position, the diver is not required by bend over or
squat to don the SCUBA tank 70A. This enables the first diver to
easily don the first SCUBA tank without assistance. This also
avoids unnecessary strain on the diver's back and body.
[0038] After the first diver has donned the first tank 70A, the
height of the platform 38 may be changed so that second SCUBA tank
70B is positioned at about the torso of a second diver. As shown in
FIG. 10B, platform 38 has been raised to height H.sub.2 so that top
surface 40 of platform 38 is at a height H.sub.2 above the ground
68. At the height shown in FIG. 10B, a second diver of a different
height may easily don second SCUBA tank 70B without assistance, and
while standing in an upright position that avoids unnecessary back
strain.
[0039] FIG. 11 shows a top plan view of a platform 138 including
four recesses or openings 174A-174D. The openings may be annular or
round for accommodating the annular lower ends of SCUBA tanks. The
recesses 174A-174D are adapted for receiving the lower ends of
SCUBA tanks and thereby limiting undesirable movement of the
tanks.
[0040] FIG. 12 shows a device 220 that enables unassisted donning
of SCUBA gear, in accordance with another preferred embodiments of
the present invention. The device includes a first vertical support
222 having an having an upper end 224 and a lower end 226 remote
therefrom. The device 220 also includes a second vertical support
228 having an upper end 230 and a lower end 232 remote therefrom.
The device 220 includes a pair of footers 246A, 246B that provides
stability at the lower ends 226, 232 of the first and second
vertical supports 222, 228. Device 220 also includes a platform 238
having a top surface 240 adapted to receive the bottom ends of
SCUBA tanks (not shown). Device 220 also preferably includes a
header 234 that is connected with and extends between the upper
ends 224, 230 of the respective first and second vertical supports
222, 228. The header preferably includes eye hooks 236A, 236B. As
described above, the eye hooks may be adapted to receive the
opposing ends of an elastic securing element for holding upper ends
of SCUBA tanks against header 234.
[0041] Device 220 also preferably includes J-hooks 276 attached to
the vertical supports 222, 228 for securing SCUBA gear such as
gloves, fins, masks, etc. Device 220 also preferably includes one
or more eye hooks 278 secured to platform 238. The eye hooks 278
may secure SCUBA gear such as gloves and fins as well.
[0042] The device 220 may also include supplemental vertical
supports 280 extending between platform 238 and base 246 for
providing additional stability for platform 238. Although the
particular embodiment shown in FIG. 12 does not include a height
adjustable platform 238, it is contemplated that the platform may
be modified so that it is height adjustable above the ground 268,
which will provide a height adjustable platform, which will
accommodate divers of various heights with unassisted donning of
SCUBA gear.
[0043] Although the invention herein has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and
applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be
understood that numerous modifications may be made to the
illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *